Minthara blinked her eyes open, feeling a clarity in her mind that had long been absent. Her gaze flickered over to Zeus, seated on the floor beside her, his posture slouched and heavy with fatigue. He had given everything to help them—awakened the deepest parts of their minds. He looked utterly drained.
"Let me rest a little, and we will go," Zeus said, his voice low and thick with exhaustion. There was a weariness in his tone that betrayed how much the process had taken out of him. He could push through the fatigue if needed, but it would be a foolish risk.
Wyll, standing nearby, nodded in understanding. "Then we’ll head downstairs and wait for you there," he said, motioning for the others to follow.
Karlach approached Lae'zel, who had been standing in a corner meditating, and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Coming?"
Lae'zel's gaze fixed on Zeus, shook her head. "I will stay here. My meditation will not compromise his rest." Her voice was calm, though her eyes betrayed a deep sense of loyalty. She wasn’t leaving until she was certain Zeus was alright.
Karlach glanced at Zeus, silently asking for confirmation. Zeus gave a tired nod. "She can stay," he muttered, grateful for her vigilance.
With that, Karlach smiled and turned, taking Wyll’s hand in hers. The warmth of their connection was evident as they shared a brief look before heading toward the door. Wyll’s smile mirrored Karlach’s, soft and sincere, as they walked out together.
As the door creaked open, Minthara shot past them, her movements quick and deliberate. She didn’t look at any of them as she made her way out, her face hard and unreadable.
"She seems angry," Shadowheart murmured, watching Minthara’s retreating form.
Gale, Astarion, and Shadowheart looked at Zeus for a moment and exchanged a glance.Each silently wondering what storm was brewing inside Minthara’s mind. But there was nothing to be done at the moment. They couldn’t reach her if she didn’t want to be reached.
As Karlach, Wyll, Gale, Astarion, and Shadowheart descended the stairs, the lively sound of laughter greeted them from the lower level. The warm glow of the hearth illuminated the scene where Roland stood, his hands raised wide in an exaggerated gesture, his siblings Lia and Cal, along with Alex, Alfira, and Ellyka, all sitting around the table, grinning and laughing at his latest tale.
"And then it exploded!" Roland shouted triumphantly, causing the table to erupt in another wave of laughter.
Karlach, couldn’t help but chuckle as they approached. "Hey, everyone. How's it going?" she asked, her voice bright and welcoming.
The group turned to greet them, the merriment still lingering in their expressions. "Just listening to Roland’s story about how he made a rat explode in someone's face," Ellyka explained with a playful smile, before her eyes drifted to Karlach and Wyll, noting their clasped hands. "But what about you?"
Karlach exchanged a glance with Wyll, and with a slight nod from him, she grinned widely, unable to contain her excitement. "We’re together. Together, as in a relationship," she said, her smile stretching even wider as she looked at Wyll, who smiled back with equal warmth. "A romantic relationship."
"Good for you!" Alfira chimed in, her voice genuine, her charming smile adding to the warmth of the moment.
"Thanks," Wyll responded, his voice soft, but the happiness in his tone unmistakable.
Roland, leaned in with an exaggerated whisper, "I’m really curious about what Zeus did to you." His eyes gleamed with mischief as he glanced around the group. "I mean, look at you all. I can feel the happiness radiating from here!" He leaned closer, his voice conspiratorial. "Blink if you need help."
Everyone’s attention shifted to Gale, who calmly responded, "He did something, yes. But nothing harmful. It was… personal for each of us." Gale’s tone was thoughtful, reflective, and as he spoke, a simple tome materialized in his hands, floating gracefully into existence. The book’s design was modest, but Gale knew it held immense potential.
Roland’s eyes widened as he stepped closer to inspect the tome, curiosity dancing in his gaze. "Wow. What’s that?" he asked, his voice filled with awe as he inspected the item with careful fascination.
"Zeus's gift," Gale explained, his voice calm yet filled with the weight of what the tome represented. "It allows us to share emotions, experiences, and feelings—on a much deeper level."
Roland took a half-step back, his excitement tinged with sudden hesitation. "You mean… like, you can see into each other’s heads?"
Lia, grinned wickedly. "Don’t worry, Roland. No one’s in a rush to see what goes on in that big head of yours." Her smirk caused a ripple of chuckles around the table.
Roland, looking slightly wounded, shot back, "My head’s not big! I just have big horns! It’s a sign of wisdom!" He folded his arms, a playful scowl crossing his face.
Gale chuckled softly, lifting the tome slightly as if to reassure him. "Don’t worry, Roland. It can’t be activated without mutual agreement. We’d both have to willingly share our thoughts and feelings."
Roland’s shoulders visibly relaxed, though his eyes still lingered on the tome with wary curiosity. "That’s… interesting. Did the others get something too?" Ellyka asked, her curiosity now piqued as she scanned the rest of the group, her gaze briefly darting toward where Minthara had stormed off earlier and then on Karlach , inspecting the patches of scales covering her arms.
Karlach shrugged casually. "Not exactly the same thing," she said, looking over at Wyll and the others. "But yeah, Zeus made us all face something deep. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like he… unlocked parts of us."
Astarion, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since leaving Zeus’ side, finally spoke up, his voice soft but sincere. "He gave us more than just power," Astarion said, his crimson eyes gleaming with a new kind of understanding. "He gave us insight into ourselves. Things we had buried."
Shadowheart nodded in agreement, though her expression was more guarded. "It wasn’t easy," she admitted, her voice low. "But… necessary."
The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of their words sinking in. Even the laughter and light-heartedness from before seemed to have dimmed as everyone took in the gravity of what they had just experienced with Zeus. It was more than just a gift—it was a reckoning, a confrontation with their deepest selves.
Ellyka tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in thought. "So… Zeus didn’t just help you fight better. He helped you know yourselves better?"
Wyll nodded firmly. "Yeah, exactly. A warrior with a dull mind cannot fight, even with the sharpest blade."
Ellyka exchanged a glance with Alfira, Alfira nodded subtly, her expression thoughtful.
"Can Zeus do the same thing for us that he did for you?" Alfira asked hesitantly, her voice low but hopeful.
Wyll shook his head. "What he did for us took a toll on him. I’m not saying he wouldn’t do it, but now’s not the right moment."
Karlach, noticing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Hey. What’s with those faces?" she asked, her tone soft yet teasing.
Alfira looked down, her fingers twitching slightly under the table as she remembered the promise she had made to herself that night—the determination to be stronger, to protect others. But that nightmare... it still haunted her. Her hand began to tremble involuntarily, a wave of anxiety rising in her chest.
"We just want to help more," Alfira whispered, barely audible as she tried to calm herself. "Calm down, Alfira. No one will hurt you," she muttered, her voice almost desperate in her mind.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested gently on her forearm, grounding her back to reality.
Her gaze flickered up to meet Alex's, his eyes soft with empathy. His gentle smile wasn’t just reassuring—it felt like a balm to her frayed nerves, warming her from within. Slowly, Alfira placed her other hand over his, patting it as a silent thank you before he let go, giving her space to breathe.
Since that nightmare that had shock her to the core, Alex had been her quiet, steadfast support. He was always there when the shadows of her trauma crept in. To Lakrissa's dismay, Alfira had grown closer to Alex, and it caused a noticeable rift between her and her lover. Lakrissa didn't trust Alex, for reasons she couldn't quite articulate. She claimed it was a gut feeling—something about him felt like trouble, like danger waiting to happen. Alfira never agreed with her on this, and the tension between them had only grown as a result.
Alex, on the other hand, felt a deep responsibility toward Alfira. Ever since he had brought her back from the dead, he couldn’t shake the feeling that if anything happened to her before her soul was fully healed it would be his fault. Fortunately, she was recovering fast. As Wither had said, she just needed time for her soul to mend after the harrowing journey back to the living world.
Both tiefling women—Ellyka and Alfira—seemed to deflate with understanding. Though they wished they could do more, they realized that Zeus, for now, needed rest. He was their greatest asset against the Absolute, and they couldn't risk pushing him too far.
As the group fell into idle chatter, Alex watched them from the sidelines, occasionally chiming in with a comment or two. He felt an overwhelming sense of peace in moments like these—when everyone was relaxed and at ease in his presence, when he was simply Alex. The contrast with how they acted around Zeus was stark. Even after Zeus had helped them heal and revealed parts of himself, they still revered him. Zeus was a force of nature to them—a savior, a liberator, an unstoppable being who could conquer any obstacle.
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To them, Zeus was almost god-like, a figure they looked up to with awe. As his powers grew, so too would their reverence. Alex could already see it happening—their admiration for Zeus becoming something larger than life, something untouchable.
That’s why for Alex he had made a choice. He would stay as he was—a warrior with sharp senses and abnormal strength, but nothing more. He would be the one who stayed grounded, while Zeus ascended. As Zeus rose to the heavens, Alex would remain on the earth, as a friend—a shoulder to lean on, a quiet presence in the background. He would be the shadow cast by the ever-growing sun, content to remain in the shade.
He knew, deep down, that what he was doing wasn’t right. It was a deception, a lie he told both to himself and to those around him. But selfishly, Alex wanted to enjoy the simple pleasure of companionship. He wanted to be there, fully present in their lives, without the weight of godhood pressing down on their relationships.
Even Gale, who knew about Alex’s shape-shifting abilities, hadn’t asked more questions since their conversation back at the church. But Alex suspected that once this crisis was over, Gale would want answers. He always did.
Minthara, knew about Zeus’s shape-shifting after finding him in the cellar but for now she doesn't appear to known about his true identity . She had simply sensed something familiar, something that told her it was him . It was a dangerous thread of truth, but for now, his secret was safe. Even if both Minthara and Gale began to connect the dots, Alex and Zeus were separate beings, in different bodies—they simply shared the same mind.
For now, that was enough to keep the illusion alive. For now, Alex could enjoy being just himself.
After a few minutes , the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs. All eyes shifted toward the figure descending the staircase—Zeus. His dark armor gleamed ominously, the fiery glow emanating from the cracks in the metal casting a warm, flickering light around him. It was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying. He moved with the grace of a warrior, yet the aura he exuded was otherworldly, powerful, and untouchable.
Through Alex's eyes, Zeus observed their reactions. Everyone straightened up instinctively, their postures sharpening with respect. But it was their eyes that spoke volumes—admiration, reverence, awe, and, for a few like Roland, Alfira, and Ellyka, a tinge of fear.
"Everyone ready?" Zeus asked, his voice resonating through the helm that was his face.
Karlach, grinned and pushed her chair back with a loud scrape. "Let’s go, boss," she said, rising to her feet. Wyll, Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale, and Alex followed suit, one by one. As Alex stood, he felt a soft tug on his sleeve. He turned to find Alfira whispering, "Take care," her voice filled with concern and something more, a plea perhaps.
Alex gave her a reassuring smile, a silent promise in his eyes, before he joined the rest of the party. Zeus nodded, and together they moved toward the room where Halsin awaited.
Inside, Halsin sat by the bedside where Thaniel slept, his features strained with worry. Thaniel’s breathing was shallow, his body seemingly at peace. Nearby, Art leaned against a bed, reading a book, his expression calm but attentive. He waved at them as they entered, offering a warm smile before returning to his book.
Halsin’s gaze lingered on Thaniel as he began to speak. "Thaniel is resting, but it’s no easy slumber," Halsin’s voice was low, filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "I’ve discovered what’s wrong with him. The shadows tore him in two when they took him to the Shadowfell. Half of his essence remains here, tangled within the curse. What stayed behind was the strongest part of him, but after years left in darkness... corruption has taken hold."
Zeus stepped closer, his armor creaking softly with the movement. "Can it be undone?" His voice was steady, but underneath it, there was an urgency, a need for answers.
"Perhaps," Halsin replied, his tone weighted with uncertainty. "If we can find Thaniel’s lost half and make him whole again. But the missing half may not come willingly. The curse has taken root, twisting his essence into something... darker, something... else." Halsin's eyes were pained, his hope balanced precariously on the edge of despair. "I will guide you to where the other half should be. This doesn’t have to be your burden alone, Zeus. Every moment counts, and I’ve asked much of you already without standing by your side."
Zeus nodded, his decision made in an instant. "Then let’s go. Be our guide."
Halsin took one last, lingering glance at Thaniel before turning to lead the way. As they exited the inn, Minthara silently joined them, positioning herself at Zeus’s right. She didn’t speak, nor did she acknowledge anyone else. Her presence was a quiet shadow, a figure of intensity and focus. Zeus said nothing, knowing that now wasn’t the time to address whatever was simmering beneath her stoic exterior.
The journey south was much easier now that they could see farther, without the cursed mist .
"I missed the warmth of the sun so much," Astarion said from the side.
The landscape was familiar, especially to Alex, who glanced around and realized they were nearing the spot where the Harper ambush had once been prepared. But as he scanned the horizon, something else caught his eye—massive chasms that seemed to stretch endlessly into the void. Faint traces of the cursed mist seeped from them, like a dark omen.
Shadowheart, walking slightly ahead, veered off to the side of the road. Kneeling, she inspected a small patch of deep blue and purplish flowers, their once vibrant petals now wilting and fragile.
"What’s that?" Karlach asked, curiosity piqued.
"A night orchid," Shadowheart replied softly. "My favorite flower."
Zeus crouched beside her, scooping up the flower and the surrounding dirt .
"Oh hells, you didn’t just pick that by hand, did you?" Shadowheart exclaimed, eyes wide with sudden fear. "They’re deadly poisonous!"
Zeus paused for a moment, then turned his head toward her. Slowly, a smile cracked through Shadowheart’s facade, realizing the jest. "Joking," she admitted, her voice lighter. "They’re safe... and beautiful."
Astarion, overhearing, raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "By the hells! Did Shadowheart just make a joke without making fun of someone? I must be dreaming."
Zeus closed his hand around the flower, his fingers glowing faintly with a soft, green light. When he opened his palm again, the flower had transformed—alive, vibrant, and in full bloom.
He handed the plant, now thriving, back to Shadowheart . He picked from the ground a stone. His hand gleamed with fiery energy as he melted the stone’s surface, shaping it into a small, elegant flower pot.
Shadowheart gently placed the orchid inside the pot, her expression softening as she brought the flower to her nose, inhaling its sweet fragrance. "Thank you," she whispered, her gratitude genuine. "I don’t have anything to give you in return."
Zeus simply shook his head. "It’s just a gift. I don’t expect anything in return." He turned and resumed his place at the front of the group, his presence ever commanding.
Shadowheart lingered for a moment, her gaze fixed on his back, before returning to her position.
Suddenly, Halsin raised a hand, his eyes scanning the darkened and twisted trees ahead. His voice cut through the silence like a blade. "Zeus, cast a wave of holy magic around us—now!"
Through his tremor sense, Zeus could feel something massive burrowing toward them beneath the earth. A wave of holy magic surged from his body, illuminating the land around him. At the same time, tendrils of flesh sprouted from his feet, snaking underground to intercept whatever threatened them from below.
The trees ahead trembled in response. His tendrils collided with a network of roots, thick and corrupted, writhing with malevolent energy. Then, from the twisted trunks of two trees up ahead, two ghostly figures emerged— dryads. But these were no ordinary dryads. Their once beautiful forms were now pale, decayed, their wood-like bodies mottled with rot. Their faces, once serene, were now masks of malice and fury.
Zeus's arms shifted, morphing into sharp, monstrous claws as he prepared to strike. But just as he was about to lunge, the ground beneath their feet began to shake violently. The earth rose, and the party scattered as the ground they had been standing on transformed into a massive shambling mound—its body a grotesque mass of dead vegetation, decayed animals, and foul magic. It was a nightmarish abomination, much like the ones they had encountered when Halsin opened the portal to the Shadowfell.
"Focus on the dryads!" Zeus commanded, his voice echoing like a thunderclap. "The shambling mound is mine."
With a swift motion, his right arm elongated into a blade, glowing with fierce energy as he dashed toward the mound. In one powerful cleave, he sliced through one of its grotesque legs, sending the towering creature stumbling backward. It let out a low, agonized roar, struggling to regain its balance.
Meanwhile, the others moved toward the dryads, but before they could advance, corrupted roots covered in wicked thorns erupted from the ground, blocking their path. The roots were alive, writhing and snapping at them like serpents.
Wyll was the first to react, his blade slicing through a root with ease, the purple energy surrounding it cutting everything it touched with ease. Two ethereal daggers spun around under Lae'zel's command, shredding another vine into pieces, while Gale moved with an agility they had never seen before, sidestepping the assault of roots and casting Burning Hands. Flames erupted from his outstretched palm, turning a cluster of the wicked roots to ashes.
A scream echoed through the air—a dryad screeching in pain as her twisted vines were burned away. Astarion, quick as ever, summoned his shield just in time to block a strike aimed at Gale. The vine collided with his shield, splintering upon impact.
"Thanks," Gale muttered, breathless, as they both dodged back from the swarm of roots surrounding them.
"Move aside!" Karlach bellowed, her voice booming with ferocity. Her chest glowed brighter, the dragon heart inside her waking up. She inhaled deeply, and then unleashed a torrent of fire from her mouth, scorching a path through the tangled mess of roots. They crackled and burned, disintegrating into ash before her fiery onslaught.
"Fuck yeah!" Karlach grinned, her eyes alight with pride as she surveyed the destruction she had wrought.
Lae’zel wasted no time, charging down the clear path Karlach had opened. As she approached the dryads, a radiant orb flew past her, grazing her skin with its searing heat and hitting one of the dryads square in the chest. The creature let out an ear-piercing wail, its chest bursting into flames as it desperately patted at the fire with its charred hands.
Lae'zel turned her head just enough to catch Shadowheart’s smirk, the shattered mirror in her hand gleaming . With a fierce battle cry, Lae'zel brought her flaming sword down, cleaving one of the dryad’s rotting arms clean off. The dryad staggered back, her scream like nails on a chalkboard.
The other dryad, enraged, raised a wooden staff to strike at Lae'zel, but before the blow could land, a glowing purple disk slammed into the dryad’s head, causing her to stumble. The disk whirled back to Astarion, attaching itself to his forearm in a smooth, fluid motion.
"Nice shield throw," Karlach quipped from the side, her battle-axe cleaving through another vine.
Wyll seized the moment, rushing in with his blade shimmering in purple light. With a swift, precise strike, he decapitated the staggered dryad, her body collapsing to the ground with a sickening thud.
Lae'zel, not one to be outdone, raised her sword high, ready to finish off the other dryad, but a massive root erupted from the ground, striking her and sending her flying. Thorns tore into her flesh, but she landed on her feet, already poised to charge again.
Before she could move, however, Gale dashed toward the dryad, his hand crackling with electric energy. As his palm made contact with the dryad, a serpent of electricity coursed through her body, causing her to spasm violently. Wyll took the opportunity to end her suffering with a quick, clean slash.
The roots around them fell limp, lifeless, like dead flies dropping from the air.
Halsin, who had been watching from a distance, stood stunned at how swiftly and efficiently they had dealt with the dryads and their corrupted roots. His awe was palpable, his lips parted slightly as he surveyed the scene.
Alex stood by his side , his gaze surveying the area.
A heavy thud sounded behind them, drawing their attention. The shambling mound lay in pieces behind Zeus, its grotesque form no longer moving.
"Good job, everyone," Zeus said, his voice calm and commanding as he walked to stand beside Halsin, whose disbelief was still written across his face.